Though I don't want to throw a spanner in the works at this point but are the centre stand mounts stronger enough to be used as a cushion lever mount as the two "stand brackets" were only decided for standing the bike on and not decided for the forces that the shock compression may put on them?... You may want to beef-up the mounts?

The normal mount is a lot heavy then the "stand brackets" mount even though they are two of them, can't look at mine as the "stand brackets" have been cut off my bike long time ago.

If you are putting the bike through our UK' M.O.T Test? Will the tester pass it?.

My thinking behind this, the thickness of the doubled up centre stand brackets is equal (if not slightly thicker) than the standard linkage mount. I may add some plating from the standard bracket down to the stand brackets just to be sure.

This mod is a common modification on Bandit 12s using the later type swingarm and whilst the mounts aren't quite the same as the 400 the weight is much much more. There are guys on the Bandit forum running them on track bikes with no issue.

On the subject of bolts, i did quite a lot of research on bolt grades and spoke to quite a few people regarding a suitable replacement. It is a very grey area, some people say absolutely no to stainless whilst others have used it with no bother.

I err'd on the side of caution and followed the advice of an engineer and race fabricator on another forum who suggested a High Tensile bolt would suit, so i went for an HT 12.9.

It is very difficult to tell what the standard bolts are and i've not been able to track down the markings on the Suzuki bolts.

On the subject of the MOT Tester, i know a very friendly one.......

He passes my GSXR1100 streetfighter and modded CBR400 with no problems.

But i agree, this sort of thing should not be done without careful consideration

My thinking behind this, the thickness of the doubled up centre stand brackets is equal (if not slightly thicker) than the standard linkage mount. I may add some plating from the standard bracket down to the stand brackets just to be sure.

This mod is a common modification on Bandit 12s using the later type swingarm and whilst the mounts aren't quite the same as the 400 the weight is much much more. There are guys on the Bandit forum running them on track bikes with no issue.

On the subject of bolts, i did quite a lot of research on bolt grades and spoke to quite a few people regarding a suitable replacement. It is a very grey area, some people say absolutely no to stainless whilst others have used it with no bother.

I err'd on the side of caution and followed the advice of an engineer and race fabricator on another forum who suggested a High Tensile bolt would suit, so i went for an HT 12.9.

It is very difficult to tell what the standard bolts are and i've not been able to track down the markings on the Suzuki bolts.

On the subject of the MOT Tester, i know a very friendly one.......

He passes my GSXR1100 streetfighter and modded CBR400 with no problems.

But i agree, this sort of thing should not be done without careful consideration

Cheers

Chris

Hi ChrisSounds Good, Looks like you'll done your research, and sounds like you are knowledgeable about such matters.

Just wanted to make sure you had used careful consideration and bring it to everyone's attention who may do a similar mod. Also handy to know a very friendly MOT Tester,

Another bit of an update, managed to get the shock extender marked, drilled and fitted last night.

Despite the angles and so on being a bit of guess work we now have functional rear suspension, quite stiff but i need to set the static sag yet.

Also it's ended up with the back being way high, so some slightly longer dogbones may be in order - although i can't drop the back to far as i want to maintain the gap between the swingarm brace and the subframe.

Also definitely going to need to machine some swingarm extensions, it's really a very short wheelbase now and looks very ood.